Things To Do
King Street
Shop along Upper King Street- King Street is the core of Charleston’s retail district—but Upper King hasn’t always been the site of high-end boutiques or art galleries. Thanks to millions in renovations and a push from the locals, this stretch has turned into one of the best spots to find a more authentic gift. Stop into Blue Bicycle Books for an early edition Hemingway or head to Felice Designs to pick up a handblown glass bead necklace.
Angel Oak
Spanning more than 1,700 square feet and reaching 65 feet at its upper branches, the tentacular Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island is one of the area’s most treasured natural landmarks. Said to be almost 1,000 years old, the weaving, winding branches stretch in all directions. The tree sits in a small park that’s outfitted with benches and tables so you can picnic beneath its umbrella. Just don’t forget your phone: Angel Oak has become one of the most Instagrammable sights in the entire city.
Leon's Oyster Shop
Leon's Oyster Shop has been a Charleston favorite since it opened on King Street in 2014. Often overlooked by tourists because it doesn't fit the mold with a traditional Charleston facade, Leon’s is still known across the South for its fried chicken sandwich, which has the power to send a vegetarian tumbling off the wagon. The breading uses seafood seasoning and the tender filet is topped with Duke’s mayo and Asian slaw tossed with fish sauce. Plus, the brioche buns are baked daily and have that perfect crispy exterior and soft, pillowy interior.
Waterfront Park
Take a picture in front of the Pineapple Fountain! If you’re not sure how to get to Waterfront Park, just ask a local where the "pineapple fountain" is. One of the most photographed fountains in the region, the multi-layered pineapple flanks the palmetto-lined boardwalk along the Cooper River and Atlantic Ocean. For the best photo ops, get there just before sunrise or sunset, when the sky does its thing. Along with the fountain, which is open for kids to splash and play in, the park has running trails and oak-lined pathways for wandering.
Belmond Charleston Place
Spend a night or two at the Belmond! One of the original innovators in the city’s hotel scene, Charleston Place (owned and operated by luxury hotelier Belmond) has been around for almost 30 years. The entire hotel underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation, updating 434 guest rooms. The new look—rooms are airy and elegant, with new bathrooms and updated furnishings—is just phase one; another $3 million is being allocated to update the spa, meeting space, and lobby in the coming year.
Edmund's Oast
Edmund’s Oast, located on Morrison Drive, has been a favorite mingling spot for locals since its opening. Don't expect greasy pub fare: Edmund’s takes its food just as seriously as its beer, with a highly rated charcuterie program (nearly everything cured and made in house) and brews that are a mix of American and English. The Tweed Jacket English Brown Ale is a crowd favorite
Marion Square
The Marion Square Market, the first farmers market in the area, is the place to be on a Saturday morning. It's stocked with fresh seafood, local produce, and sustainably farmed meats from farms just 20 minutes from the city. In addition to the photo-worthy bounty, there are food stalls throughout serving everything from gyros to made-to-order huevos rancheros. If you can't make this market, head to Johns Island's famous Sunday Brunch Market behind the Pour House for freshly made pastas and veggies, or West Ashley's brand-new farmers market, which takes place every Wednesday until 7:30 p.m. at Ackerman Park.
Arthur Ravenel Bridge
You can’t go from Mount Pleasant to downtown Charleston without crossing the iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, although most people only see it as they speed along in Ubers. Locals prefer to cross by running, biking, or meandering on foot. The main span of the bridge is a little over 1,546 feet, but you get truly memorable views of the Cooper River, especially during sunset, from the middle. If you’re a runner, the entire walkway is just 2.5 miles across, but the Southern heat and uphill trek proves to be challenging.
Dock Street Theatre
The historic Dock Street Theatre in Charleston’s French Quarter district is a thriving piece of the city's original history. Its earliest incarnation likely burned down in the mid-1700s; the building that stands dates to 1809, though some of its most famous additions came in 1835 (look closely at the ornately scrolled wrought-iron on the top balcony, and the pillars adjacent to the dark green doors). Dock Street recently went through a three-year, $19 million renovation to add state-of-the-art sound quality, air conditioning (a must), and new seats—you can now see local and touring Broadway productions at one of the longest-standing, still-operational theaters in America.
Sullivan's Island
Sullivan’s Beach is only a few miles long, but is owned by the town of Sullivan’s Island—which means every grain of sand is protected. After a day of sunning, wander into town for a bit—maybe to Poe’s Tavern, known for its burgers, or The Obstinate Daughter, a Restoration Hardware-styled brunch and lunch spot that has some of Charleston’s best mussels. For a history lesson, explore Fort Moultrie National Monument, which was built during the Civil War to protect the city from invasion.
The Restoration
The recently renovated Restoration is easy to miss, but a must-visit regardless. This boutique hotel has just 54 guest rooms, including 20 condo-style suites, with décor best described as Icelandic contemporary: think beige love seats, navy slingback chairs, fuzzy pillows, oversized photos of wild horses. If it's booked up, you can go just for the rooftop bar, the Watch, which offers 360-degree views of the city and is the ultimate place to watch the sun dip into the Cooper River.
Historic Charleston City Market
One of Charleston’s oldest landmarks, the 200-year-old Historic City Market is easily the most distinguishable landmark here. It's been recently renovated and equipped with air conditioning (a sort-of obvious addition for those hot Southern summers); the chaotic inside is filled with local vendors selling She-Crab soup mixes and the city's iconic handmade sweetgrass baskets.
The Dewberry Charleston
Opened just a few months ago in the Mendel Rivers Federal Building, the Dewberry Hotel is one of the city’s most interesting properties. In addition to 155 guest rooms, including Grand Suites overlooking the park, the most talked-about element is the main restaurant, Henrietta’s. The black-and-white checkered floor and dangling bulbs give the place a Parisian bistro vibe—it's formal, but approachable. The food is a mix of French technique and Southern ingredients, with dishes like duck in preserved rhubarb sauce, steak frites, and, of course, fresh oysters.
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Beyond the fried-green-tomato beat is fusion favorite Xiao Bao Biscuit, on the corner of Rutledge Avenue and Spring Street. It marries Southern and Asian comfort food—dishes inspired "by kick-ass grandmothers everywhere"—and delivers on the Thai yellow curry with mung bean cakes, Japanese cabbage pancakes with pork "candy," and local snapper prepared with Chinese spices and seasoned greens.